Peach tree named ‘Supechtwentythree’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct peach tree variety, Prunus persica, cv. ‘Supechtwentythree’ is characterized by having very early ripening, large-size fruit, with medium brix, non-melting flesh and a large percentage of over-color.

Latin name of the genus and species claimed: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘Supechtwentythree’.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the discovery and asexual propagation of a new and distinct variety of peach, Prunus persica cv. ‘Supechtwentythree’. The new variety was first selected in May 2009 by Terry Bacon as breeder number: ‘PE1049’. The new variety was first evaluated by Terry Bacon near Wasco, Calif. in Kern County. The variety ‘Supechtwentythree’ was originated by hybridization.

The new variety ‘Supechtwentythree’ is characterized by very early ripening, large-size fruit, having medium brix, non-melting flesh and a large percentage of over-color.

The seed parent is ‘PE226’ (unpatented breeding selection), and the pollen parent is ‘Supechseventeen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,588). The parent varieties were first crossed in February 2006, with the date of sowing being February 2007, and the date of first flowering being February 2009. The new peach variety ‘Supechtwentythree’ was first asexually propagated by Terry Bacon near Wasco, Kern County, Calif. in February 2010 by dormant grafting.

The new variety ‘Supechtwentythree’ is distinguished from its seed parent, ‘PE226’, in that harvest of the fruit of the new variety starts about five days later than for ‘PE226’ and the fruit size of the new variety ‘Supechtwentythree’ is larger at 185 g compared to 170 g for ‘PE226’.

The new variety ‘Supechtwentythree’ is similar to its pollen parent, ‘Supechseventeen’, in that harvest of the fruit of both varieties starts at a similar time. However, the new variety ‘Supechtwentythree’ has a low chill requirement of 200 chill units compared to 300 chill units for ‘Supechseventeen’, and fruit of the new variety ‘Supechtwentythree’ has non-melting flesh compared to melting flesh for ‘Supechseventeen’.

The fruit of the new variety ‘Supechtwentythree’ ripens about the same time as ‘Snow Angel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,750). However, the fruit of the new variety ‘Supechtwentythree’ has yellow flesh while the fruit of ‘Snow Angel’ has white flesh. Further, the new variety ‘Supechtwentythree’ has a larger fruit weight at 185 g compared to 135 g for ‘Snow Angel’. The fruit of the new variety ‘Supechtwentythree’ also has a lower brix:acid ratio at 17% compared to 32% for ‘Snow Angel’.

The fruit of the new variety ‘Supechtwentythree’ has similar size to ‘Supechfifteen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,177), but the fruit of the new variety ‘Supechtwentythree’ has a higher degree of over-color at 90+% compared to 80% for the fruit of ‘Supechfifteen’. Additionally, the fruit of the new variety ‘Supechtwentythree’ has a higher brix:acid ratio at 17% compared to 11% for Supechfifteen’.

The fruit of the new variety ‘Supechtwentythree’ has a similar percentage of over-color and the same yellow flesh color as that of ‘Brittney Lane’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,286). However, the fruit of the new variety ‘Supechtwentythree’ ripens earlier than that of ‘Brittney Lane’ and has a smaller fruit weight at 185 g compared to 230 g for ‘Brittney Lane’.

The new variety ‘Supechtwentythree’ has been shown to maintain its distinguishing characteristics through successive asexual propagations by, for example, cuttings and grafting.’

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimens of the foliage and fruit of the peach variety ‘Supechtwentythree’. The illustration shows the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves and exterior and sectional views of the fruit. The photographic illustration was taken shortly after the fruit was picked and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small letter signify that the name of that color, as used in common speech is aptly descriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designate values based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 1986.

The descriptive matter which follows pertains to 8 year old ‘Supechtwentythree’ trees grown in the vicinity of Wasco, Kern County, Calif., during 2017, and is believed to apply to plants of the variety grown under similar conditions of soil and climate elsewhere.

TREE

-   General: (Measurements taken on 8-year-old trees unless otherwise     noted.)     -   -   Size.—Medium. Reaches a height of approximately 3 meters             with normal pruning.         -   Vigor.—Strong. Top shoot growth of about 1.5 meters during             the first growing season.         -   Growth.—Semi-upright.         -   Productivity.—Very Productive.         -   Fertility.—Self-fertile.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all fruit growing areas of California;             winter chilling requirement is approximately 200 hours at or             below 7.2° C.         -   Disease resistance/susceptibility.—No specific testing for             relative plant disease resistance/susceptibility has been             undertaken. Under close observation in Kern County, Calif.,             no particular plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility             has been observed. -   Trunk: (Measurements taken at approximately 30 cm above the soil     line.)     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 20 cm.         -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, increases with the age of the tree.         -   Trunk color.—About Light Greyed-Green 198D with highlights             of Medium Greyed-Red 182B, becoming about Dark Greyed-Purple             183B with age. -   Branches: (Measurements taken at approximately 90 cm above the soil     line.)     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 13 cm.         -   Texture.—Medium shaggy; increasing with tree age.         -   Color.—About Light Grey 201D with highlights of Medium             Greyed-Red 182B, becoming about Dark Greyed-Purple 183A with             age.         -   Lenticels density.—Approximately 3 per cm².         -   Lenticels color.—About Light Grey 201D.         -   Lenticels length.—Approximately 5 mm.         -   Lenticels width.—Approximately 2 mm. -   One year old shoots: (Data taken in May at midpoint of     current-season growth.)     -   -   Size.—Average diameter approximately 5 mm.         -   Color.—Topside: About Medium Yellow-Green 146C. Underside:             About Medium Yellow-Green 146C.         -   Internode length.—Medium; approximately 2-3 cm, mostly 2.6             cm.         -   Lenticels and density.—Plentiful; about 12 per cm².         -   Color.—About Medium Grey 201C.         -   Lenticel dimensions.—Width: Approximately 0.8 mm. Length:             Approximately 1 mm.         -   Presence of anthocyanin coloration.—Absent or very sparse.         -   Intensity of anthocyanin on upper side of shoots.—Not             applicable.         -   Density of flower buds.—Medium, two per node.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaves: (Data taken in May on fully expanded leaves at midpoint of     current-season growth.)     -   -   Average length.—Medium; approximately 14 cm without petiole.         -   Average width.—Medium; approximately 4.1 cm.         -   Length:width ratio.—Medium; about 3.4:1.         -   Shape.—Elliptic.         -   Color.—Upper Surface: About Dark Green 139A. Lower Surface:             About Medium Green 138B.         -   Angle at base.—Acute.         -   Angle at apex.—Acute.         -   Vein color.—About Light Green 139D.         -   Presence of red coloration of mid-vein on the lower             side.—Absent or very sparse.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth on both top and bottom surfaces.         -   Shape in the cross section.—Concave.         -   Leaf blade tip.—Curved downwardly.         -   Undulation of margin.—Slight.         -   Margin.—Crenate. -   Petiole:     -   -   Average length.—Medium; approximately 9 mm.         -   Average diameter.—Approximately 2 mm.         -   Color.—About Medium Green 139C. -   Stipules:     -   -   Number/Leaf bud.—Usually 2.         -   Typical Length.—Medium; approximately 10 mm.         -   Color.—About Dark Greyed-Orange 166A when dried.         -   Persistence.—Falls off. -   Leaf glands (nectaries):     -   -   Form.—Reniform.         -   Average number and arrangement.—Usually 2, alternating.             Predominately on petiole.         -   Dimension.—Approximately 1 mm long by 0.8 mm wide.         -   Color.—About Dark Greyed-Yellow 162A, becoming Dark             Greyed-Orange 166A over time. -   Vegetative buds:     -   -   Bud dimensions.—Approximately 5 mm long by 2.5 mm wide.         -   Bud shape.—Conical.         -   Color.—About Dark Greyed-Orange 177A. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Bud dimensions.—Approximately 3 mm long by 2 mm wide.         -   Bud shape.—Ovoid.         -   Color.—About Dark Greyed-Orange 177A.         -   Ratio of flower buds to vegetative buds.—2 flower buds:1             vegetative bud.

FLOWERS

-   General:     -   -   Type of bloom.—Showy (Rosette).         -   Diameter of fully opened flower.—Approximately 60 mm.         -   Flower aroma.—Slightly aromatic.         -   Time of beginning of leaf bud burst.—Early, with bloom.         -   Flower blooming period.—First Bloom: Approximately             February 6. Full Bloom: Approximately February 10.         -   Time of bloom.—Early.         -   Location of first bloom.—Tips of one-year-old shoots.         -   Location of full bloom.—Central part of the tree canopy.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 10 days. -   Pedicels:     -   -   Dimensions.—Approximately 4 mm long by 2 mm wide.         -   Color.—About Medium Green 138B. -   Sepals:     -   -   Number.—5.         -   Shape.—Medium ovate.         -   Position.—Adpressed to petals.         -   Length.—Approximately 7 mm.         -   Width.—Approximately 5 mm.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—About Dark Greyed-Purple 184A. -   Petals:     -   -   Number.—5.         -   Arrangement.—Slightly overlapping.         -   Color.—About Light Pink 54D.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Dimensions.—Approximately 25 mm long by 25 mm wide.         -   Shape.—Circular.         -   Apex shape.—Rounded.         -   Base shape.—Narrows at point of attachment.         -   Undulation of margins.—Medium.         -   Frequency of flowers with double petals.—Never.         -   Claw.—Partially developed. -   Stigma:     -   -   Position compared to anthers.—About the same level. -   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—About 38.         -   Length.—Variable, ranging from 8 mm to 11 mm.         -   Filament color.—About White 155A with highlights of Light             Pink 54D.         -   Amount of pollen.—Moderate.         -   Flower pollen color.—About Medium Red 42B.         -   Position compared to petals.—At the same level. -   Anthers:     -   -   Pollen.—Present. -   Pistil:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 18 mm.         -   Ovary diameter.—Approximately 2 mm.         -   Frequency of supplementary pistils.—Few. -   Receptacle:     -   -   Depth.—Medium; about 4 mm.         -   Pubescence of inner surface (at pink bud stage).—Absent.         -   Pubescence of outer surface.—Present. -   Ovary:     -   -   Pubescence.—Present.

FRUIT

-   General: (Description taken at firm-mature near Wasco, Kern County,     Calif.)     -   -   Date of first pick.—Approximately May 3.         -   Date of last pick.—Approximately May 13 .         -   Time of maturity for consumption.—Very early. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Dimensions.—Approximately 7 mm long by 3 mm wide.         -   Color.—About Light Green 139D. -   Fruit Size:     -   -   Size.—Large; about 185g.         -   Height.—Tall; about 72 mm.         -   Diameter perpendicular to suture.—Approximately 78 mm.         -   Diameter ventral side, facing suture.—Approximately 78 mm. -   Fruit Shape:     -   -   Shape viewed from apex.—Circular.         -   Shape in lateral view, perpendicular to suture.—Circular.         -   Shape ventral side, facing suture.—Circular.         -   Symmetry viewed from pistil end.—Symmetric or slightly             asymmetric.         -   Shape of pistil end.—Slightly depressed.         -   Mucron tip at pistil end.—Occasionally present.         -   Depth of stalk cavity.—Medium; about 8 mm.         -   Width of stalk cavity.—Medium; about 7 mm.         -   Promenence of suture.—Weak or flat. -   Fruit Skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Adherence to flesh.—Strong.         -   Taste.—Neutral.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Reticulation.—Absent.         -   Tendency to crack.—None.         -   Pubescence.—Slight.         -   Density of pubescence of skin.—Medium.         -   Ground color.—About Medium Yellow-Orange 16B.         -   Relative area of overcolor.—Very large (about 90+%).         -   Overcolor color (hue) of skin.—About Medium Red 46B to Dark             Red 46A.         -   Pattern of overcolor of skin.—Marbled. -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.         -   Color.—About Medium Yellow 14B with Medium Orange-Red 34B             bleeding in from the perimeter.         -   Anthocyanin coloration of flesh next to skin.—Weak when             firm-mature, becoming stronger as fruit ripens.         -   Anthocyanin coloration of flesh in central part of             flesh.—Weak.         -   Anthocyanin coloration of flesh around stone.—Absent or very             weak when firm-mature.         -   Flavor.—Sweet mild.         -   Firmness.—Firm; typically 10 lb pressure at harvest.         -   Juice.—Medium; able to squeeze free juice easily.         -   Acidity.—Medium; 0.71% titratable.         -   Sweetness.—Medium; about 12% brix at harvest.         -   Flesh type.—Non-melting.         -   Amount of fiber.—Moderate. -   Stone:     -   -   Stone size.—Medium. Size compared to Fruit: Medium. Length:             Approximately 27 mm. Diameter Facing Suture: Approximately             20 mm. Diameter Perpendicular to Suture Plane: Approximately             26 mm.         -   Stone color.—About Medium Greyed-Yellow 161B when dried.         -   Anthocyanin color.—Absent.         -   Intensity of brown color.—Light.         -   Position of maximum.—Toward middle.         -   Shape in lateral view perpendicular to suture.—Circular.         -   Shape in ventral view facing suture.—Medium elliptic.         -   Shape in basal view.—Medium elliptic.         -   Base shape.—Nearly straight.         -   Apex shape.—Slight point at tip.         -   Ridges.—Rounded throughout.         -   Outgrowing keel.—Partially developed.         -   Fibers.—Not visible.         -   Symmetry in lateral view.—Symmetric or slightly asymmetric.         -   Relief of surface.—Predominately pits.         -   Width of stalk end.—Narrow.         -   Tendency to split.—Low.         -   Degree of adherence to flesh.—Strong. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree as herein described and illustrated. 